...Just how bad has Tomoaki Kanemoto's slump been? His batting average dropped from a lofty .607 to .380. Against the Dragons and Carp, he went 2-for-21 with 1 RBI.

NIPPON HAM FIGHTERS

...Sho Nakatacontinues to hit in Ni-gun. He currently leads the league in home runs (8), total bases (57), and RBI (27). Nakata is also tied for first in strike outs (29) with Giants' rookie, Taishi Ohta.

ORIX BUFFALOES

...Alex Cabreraboarded a plane for the US yesterday to get a second opinion on his fractured right pinky toe at a hospital in Florida. But news of the swine flu have team officials concerned about Cabrera's health.

Said one team rep, "The timing... We didn't think it [swine flu] would start to spread so quickly."